The year 2024 has become a thing of the past, during which the national football team experienced numerous challenges and opportunities. The official authorities also solemnly listed the team's goal-scoring chart for the year. Wu Lei scored 4 goals with his outstanding performance, rightfully ranking at the top, while Bai Helamu and Zhang Yuning also demonstrated their remarkable abilities, each scoring 2 goals.
In addition, Wei Shihao, Fernandinho, Xie Weneng, and Lin Liangming contributed to the national team's goals with their own efforts, each scoring 1 goal. It was precisely because of their excellent performances that the national team successfully advanced from the top 36 to the top 18, preserving a glimmer of hope for a direct qualification to the World Cup.
On the third day of the New Year, the national team received an exciting piece of news. According to the latest comprehensive reports from domestic media, 27-year-old Zhang Yuning has been targeted by La Liga giants Atletico Madrid, with head coach Diego Simeone personally selecting him to join the team. This decision is closely related to the current lack of a regular center forward within the Atletico squad.
If Zhang Yuning successfully signs with Atletico, he will become the first Chinese player in the club's history, and it would also mean that the La Liga stage will welcome the presence of a Chinese player after a gap of 2 years. Looking back two years ago, Wu Lei bid farewell to Espanyol, and since then, there have been no Chinese players in the top five leagues, a situation that undoubtedly left domestic media and fans feeling regretful and disheartened.
In fact, Zhang Yuning is not the first to intersect with the top five leagues. Once, he joined Bundesliga team Werder Bremen, but the team's head coach at the time did not give him much importance, resulting in very few playing opportunities for him, almost sitting on the bench throughout the Bundesliga season. Out of necessity, he had to choose to return to play domestically.
In recent years, through relentless efforts and practical training, Zhang Yuning has achieved significant improvements in his personal abilities. In the games he represented the national team, his role as a frontcourt pivot has become increasingly evident. For example, in the two crucial matches where the national team consecutively defeated Indonesia and Bahrain, Zhang Yuning scored consecutive goals, becoming a key figure in the team's victories. Perhaps, it was precisely his outstanding performances in these matches that became one of the important reasons for being noticed by Atletico.
Analyzing the current situation, it is most likely that Zhang Yuning will have to wait until this summer to complete his signing with Atletico. At that time, he will join the team for summer training, thereby having ample time to adapt to the new league environment, integrate into the new team, and get familiar with new teammates.
After all, if he were to hastily join in the winter transfer window, it would not be a wise move for Zhang Yuning. After all, Atletico needs to fully compete for the titles of La Liga, the Champions League, and the King's Cup this season. Under such a tight schedule and fierce competition, Zhang Yuning joining may temporarily not have the opportunity to play.